Welcome to Hickstead, home to both Seven Oak Stables, and Blue Acre - two rival stables. Both offer opportunities for their clients to reach the highest level of excellence. Each stable differs from the other, so choose wisely and never forget, loyalty is everything... Meanwhile as the stables battle it out, there's trouble brewing at the university. Be careful, if you don't pick a side you may get caught in the cross-fire...
This is an chilled out rpg with a super friendly and relaxed atmosphere! Remember to sign up with your characters full name in all caps and don't forget to do your claims! Thank you and Welcome, we've been established since 10th March 2009 but unfortunately have had to close guest view of our boards due to multiple sites ripping off our hard work, such a shame! Come chat to us in Discord before joining if you like!.
Amanda wanted to take Waylon on one last trail ride of the year. The English weather was turning colder - resulting in the ground almost being too hard to ride outside. She packed the Stallion up in the trailer and drove the truck and trailer combo over to the start of the Meadow trail. It wasn't long before the two pulled up in the small parking lot nearby, choosing one of the trailer spots before turning the engine off and getting out.
Waylon was patiently munching on his hay net when his human opened the back of the trailer, carefully lowering the ramp before getting on - unclipping the cross tie and replacing it with a lead rope. She carefully backed the stallion off of the trailer and tied the lead rope to the side of the trailer - taking the stall sheet off before starting to tack up her horse. She had already brushed him before she left Helping Hooves.
It wasn't much longer before the stallion was tacked up in Western gear, Amanda holding the reins in her hand before she led him over to the infamous tree stump that everyone used to get on before hitting the trails. She got on the bay, putting her feet in the stirrups before nudging the stallion into the walk. She breathed in the cold air, glad she bundled up - but the rain decided to subside. She turned her head and saw a familiar face - Jameson Hughs. "Here I was thinking I'd be alone on the trails today. How are you and your horse?"
Without a doubt, the best way to get to know me is through my music
thanks aofie!
Fifty-three - riding instructor at Helping Hooves - Separated
Amanda nodded, it was nice for her to be able to recognize the local Vets. She was a very hands-on owner - even when her trainer back in Nashville solely rode him - Amanda wanted to know how the young prospect was doing. “Same goes for you.” She reached her hand out and shook it, letting go before it got awkward. “What makes you say that? Waylon here was at a training barn back home so I rarely got to ride him due to my previous career.” She questioned, not quite knowing the horse culture around Hickstead quite yet. Nashville was crazy for cowboys and cowgirls - hence why she was drawn to the Western riding.
She smiled at the man, reaching out with her hand to pet Waylon on the nose. The stallion lowered his head, closing his eyes briefly before Amanda took her hand away. “For a stallion, he really is a puppy. Ever since he was a foal apparently, though he came from a good breeding barn.” She did her research when it came to buying her next horse. “Sounds perfect.” Amanda would have to memorize names now as she was bad at it.
Waylon lowered his head when he sniffed the man’s hand, huffing as he realized that the strange man didn’t have a treat. He swished his dark-coloured tail, waiting to see what the man would do. “Ha, he thinks you have food. I did visit him every few days and they didn’t say anything when he left quarantine but you never know.” Amanda shrugged her shoulders, she didn’t know the vet team at London Heathrow - though they passed their exams, right? “Oh, I hope he doesn’t have a fever.” The quarantine stable was almost like a hospital - germs everywhere.
“Can you write which shots he needs? I can book an appointment for them.” She kept track of his vaccine records - the stallion had his own file folder in her office at home for him. Waylon stayed patient as the vet checked him over - Amanda was glad her horse was behaving. The vet was someone he saw often - making sure the stallion was healthy to breed. “I heard about them needing a coach. The other barns seemed to be full or didn’t answer my application, so Waylon and I settled down here. Is it because it’s mostly the Ledor-Kita’s horses?” She was curious about the other barns - though Helping Hooves just seemed like a soft, comfy place for the two to relax and heal after a rough year.
Without a doubt, the best way to get to know me is through my music
thanks aofie!
Fifty-three - riding instructor at Helping Hooves - Separated
It didn't take long for Amanda to regain her balance. She thankfully didn't embarrass herself and fall over. The woman tended to lean towards the graceful side - showing her true Southern Belle side. She nodded to the woman, understanding as she was newish herself. "I'd check with Helping Hooves. I just started coaching there and I do remember the owners saying they were looking for more stable hands." She wasn't quite familiar with the other barns yet, though she was curious to know more about them.
"Alax? That's some sort of nickname..right?" She raised her eyebrow at the unique name. Her parents gave her a boring, normal name but she really didn't mind it. If someone called her Mandy, they'd get the death glare from her. "He's a dark bay, here let me show you a picture." Of course the woman had hundreds of pictures of her horse - especially after deleting all the pictures of herself and Keegan together. The woman pulled out her iPhone and opened the photo app, clicking on the most recent photo of Waylon. "I'm looking for mainly a rain sheet, if that helps." Somehow his got lost in the move, though she often wondered if the stallion destroyed it before he left the USA. "Where did you move here from anyway?"
Without a doubt, the best way to get to know me is through my music
thanks aofie!
Fifty-three - riding instructor at Helping Hooves - Separated
Amanda was glad to be outside - she zipped up her cropped puffy vest, making sure she stayed warm while she coached. It gave her an opportunity to get to know her students and brush up on her Eventing. She moved closer to the part of the course they would be using as warmup and nodded.
"Good, I'm glad. What have you two been working on recently? Let's start with some walk to halt transitions. So count twenty steps and then ask him to halt. Just down this long side of the arena. Then on the other long side lets have you two three loops and then you can change direction." As an Eventing rider, Dressage was an important part. She was a huge believer in warming up your horse correctly - even Waylon, her Western horse did some dressage movements to warm up - just basic ones though.
Without a doubt, the best way to get to know me is through my music
thanks aofie!
Fifty-three - riding instructor at Helping Hooves - Separated
Amanda drove up the gravel driveway that headed towards Helping Hooves. She didn't have to teach until later in the afternoon, but she wanted to ride Waylon beforehand. The pair had recently won the Handy Pony class and everyone had huge congratulations for her. It was the closest to a trail class they would get in England - though it was fun for both of them.
She parked in her usual spot, turning the engine of her Ford Truck off, the silence welcoming after the sound of the diesel engine roaring down the drive. The brunette sighed, ready for another long afternoon of work. She got out of her truck, stepping on to the ground before closing and locking the truck behind her. Amanda headed into the barn, picking up Waylon's halter and lead rope before heading to the stallion private pens. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Bode and his firey chestnut mare nearby. The woman smiled and approached, being respectful of the mare.
"Hello Bode, this must be Miss Cayenne? Has she settled in yet?" For the first few weeks of Waylon being in England, Amanda watched him like a hawk. The big move overseas wasn't something the stallion was used to - she had Nathan come out to see him the same day he got out of quarantine. He got a clean bill of health and she began advertising him for breeding in the UK now as well. "Oh thank you. Honestly, he is so much fun to ride. He usually does trail classes, so this was the closest we could find." She wasn't one to be cocky, though he did win all of his classes at the All American Quarter Horse Congress after all!
"How have you been lately? Enjoying the British weather?" Amanda couldn't believe how rainy England had been so far.
Without a doubt, the best way to get to know me is through my music
thanks aofie!
Fifty-three - riding instructor at Helping Hooves - Separated
Amanda knew MiMi aws the right choice for someone's first lesson. The mare had been around the block a few times and was a calm old timer. She smiled, realizing Orion couldn't see her happy emotions. "Alright, once you get on I'll come over and put MiMi on the lunge line. I heard you have ridden before but not in a lesson? Is that right?" She wanted to have an idea of what she was working with. There was a difference between never having being around horses and having ridden once or twice.
"So trail is a Western class, though we won't be doing any patterns or anything yet. Maybe I'll lead you and MiMi over some poles at the end but we won't do anything to crazy." She only set out a few walk poles - just in case Orion wanted to try them at the end. The dark haired woman approached the mare, clipping the lunge line to her bit. Amanda double checked his stirrups before letting a bit of lunge line go. "I'm going to ask MiMi to walk forward now. We will get you riding in a big circle. No need to steer, though we can practice holding the reins. I don't mind if you ride with two hands or one. Whatever is most comfortable." She was going to have to get used to verbally telling Orion what she was doing - not wanting to startle the man if MiMI walked forward before he was ready.
She gently pulled on the lunge line, asking MiMi to walk forward. The mare huffed and began toddling along. Amanda walked backwards to make sure Orion was comfortable before turning around and heading towards the middle of the arena.
Without a doubt, the best way to get to know me is through my music
thanks aofie!
Fifty-three - riding instructor at Helping Hooves - Separated
Amanda had finished riding Waylon, deciding to go on a trail ride to check out the cross country course. It wasn't something she did often, though it was the English discipline that was her favorite. Waylon sniffed the log during their cool-out session - the young stallion was glad that it was finally the time of year to ride outside.
She rode the bay back to the stables, dismounting out of her Western saddle and putting him in an empty cross-tie. The woman waved at a stable hand who seemed to be free - asking her if she could tend to Waylon as it was time for her to teach Piper. She thanked the woman before turning to head back to the cross-country course. She zipped up her puffy vest before climbing up and over the fence, standing by the gate for when Piper arrived with Boo.
"Hello again you two, ready for your first cross country lesson with me? Has Boo been behaving himself lately?" She had hoped the lesson would go well - it was going to be relatively easy as she was a bit rusty herself, though she had seen Piper and Boo during their show jumping lessons - it would be fun for the three of them. "Why don't you get on and start walking him around, feel free to have a loose rein to let his neck stretch as a warmup."
Without a doubt, the best way to get to know me is through my music
thanks aofie!
Even dice roll = lesson goes well!
Fifty-three - riding instructor at Helping Hooves - Separated
Amanda was excited to teach again. Her and Waylon had done well at the most recent competition - glad that she had such a supportive barn behind her. The stallion had a much deserved day off, though Amanda decided to give him a nice graze on some fresh grass. The two had found some nice spots during their first few months at Helping Hooves.
The woman looked down - checking her phone, realizing that it was almost time for her to teach. "Sorry, Waylon. I gotta go teach. Your P.M feed should be there though. We can go on a trail ride tomorrow for fun." She promised, pulling up gently on the lead rope, causing the dark bay stallion to lift his head and huff - as if he was disgruntled with the interruption. Amanda laughed as she led her horse back to his stall - seeing that she was correct. The stallion had his grain and hay already ready for him to eat. She led him inside his stall and took off his halter, giving him a pat on the neck before closing the stall door and clipping his halter to the stall door.
She had left a note for both Yui and Orion - saying that they would be riding outside as the sun was shining after a few days of rain. Amanda picked up her lunge line on her way outside - she had learned that this was going to be her rider's first ever lesson. It was always exciting for her to teach newbies and watch them learn and grow from the ground up. Not long after she had arrived, she saw both Yui and Orion arrive, leading one of the lesson horses behind them.
Amanda smiled and waved, excited to see how this lesson would go. She slowly walked over to the mounting block before stopping. "Hello Orion and Yui. Hope you are both doing well today. Did you need some help fixing the tack before you get on?"
Without a doubt, the best way to get to know me is through my music
thanks aofie!
Even roll = lesson goes well!
Fifty-three - riding instructor at Helping Hooves - Separated
Hi everyone! I'm Amanda, please leave Mrs. McKenzie for my mother when she comes to visit. I've been riding horses before I could walk - both English and Western. I am here to prepare you and your horse(s) for competitions and offer a personalized lesson program.
My previous coaches were all professional Western/English riders back home in the USA and I've learned a lot from them, but now it's my turn to be my own teacher.
class objectives
Students who take eventing classes from me will be confident in the show ring. Nothing like the thrill of riding outside, right?! You'll learn everything you need to know and I teach anyone from Beginner Novice to Advanced.
availability
April 12th group 1. @name - horse - level 2. @name - horse - level 3. @name - horse - level individual 1. Piper Salem Ledor-Kita - The Boogey Man - Intermediate 2. @name - horse - level
Hi everyone! I'm Amanda, please leave Mrs. McKenzie for my mother when she comes to visit. I've been riding horses before I could walk - both English and Western. I am here to prepare you and your horse(s) for competitions and offer a personalized lesson program.
My previous coaches were all professional Western/English riders back home in the USA and I've learned a lot from them, but now it's my turn to be my own teacher.
class objectives
Students who take trail classes will learn how to do patterns with various obstacles (think the handy pony classes in the shows!). I do offer them as in-hand classes for those who have young horses and aren't ready for work with a saddle.
I'm available to teach everyone from rookie to level three.
Amanda can be described as a typical Southern Belle. She is truly kind, despite her fame and acknowledges as many fans as she can when someone recognizes her. Amanda is also a hard worker, as she wrote all her songs herself - assisting in any way she could when it came to her career. The only times she can be mean/rude is when someone is rude back to her, she won't take anyone's BS.
She moved to Hickstead in November 2023, so she is looking for friends!!
enemies
Honestly, only her ex husband is her enemy. Though potentially some rivals from barns? She coaches at Helping Hooves and really keeps a low profile.
lovers
Amanda recently separated from her husband - so this area is open!!
The bay stallion lowered his head, quite content that his human was paying attention to him since the move. Amanda smiled, it was always so fascinating to her how quickly the young horse settled in wherever they went. She hoped that this would be their final move. No one knew who she was and the Ledor-Kita family had hired her basically on the spot.
A voice from the vet made her snap out of her thoughts, turning her head towards where the voice was coming from. "That would be us, it's nice to finally meet you rather than talking over the phone." Waylon was up to date on his vaccinations before he left, but she was a good enough horse owner to double check if England had different regulations. "Yes, I know I sound like a crazy horse lady but I just want to make sure he survived the long haul over. He was in quarantine before moving here." It also gave her the perfect opportunity to create a professional relationship with the vet.
"Where can we start? Waylon has a puppy like personality so don't worry about him getting kicked or anything." It was the main reason Waylon was able to keep his breeding abilities. Amanda was happy she was finally able to ride him again rather than a trainer doing it for her.
Without a doubt, the best way to get to know me is through my music
thanks aofie!
Fifty-three - riding instructor at Helping Hooves - Separated
Amanda was amazed of the selection the tack store had. As Waylon was boarded at a training barn, she paid the barn staff there to buy Waylon the blankets he needed. She didn't realize she was so focused on horse blankets to realize someone else had entered the store as well.
As the older brunette shuffled down to look at the next blanket, she felt someone run into her. It caused Amanda to stumble, thankful she didn't lose her balance completely - able to catch herself just in time. "Oof. It's alright. Are you by chance in a hurry or something? I'm new around here and I'd enjoy having some help picking out some new things for my horse." Amanda was more than capable of doing it herself, but a second opinion on new blankets for Waylon was always good.
It took her a moment to realize what the blonde woman was looking for - the job board seemed to grab the other woman's attention. "You aren't looking for a job are you?" She hadn't noticed the bulletin board before, but this also was her first time in the store. A navy colored rain sheet caught her eye, it was something that would look good on the dark bay stallion. She used her hand and pulled the sample out to get a better look at it, putting it back as she realized the color of the piping wasn't something she liked.
Without a doubt, the best way to get to know me is through my music
thanks aofie!
Fifty-three - riding instructor at Helping Hooves - Separated
The young bay stallion's hooves crunched along the gravel pathway beside his human. Amanda had reluctantly dragged him out of his private pen, but Amanda wanted Waylon to be looked at - so that she could build a professional relationship with one of the local vets.
The crunching turned into clip clops as their feet hit the pavement of the barn aisle. The older woman pat the stallion on the neck, glad that she had someone she knew make the move with her. When they got close, she turned Waylon to face her and backed him into a cross tie. She clipped both sides to each side of his leather halter and removed the lead rope. "He should be here soon, then you can go back outside and play." She wanted to give him a few days to settle in before she started riding him.
She knew Waylon couldn't understand her, but she liked to think he could at least recognize her voice. The woman put her hand in the pocket of her jeans and pulled out a sugar cube and giving it to him with a flat palm. As the horse was munching on his treat, she heard someone approach them.
